Question 1

What's the difference between a 'full clean' and a 'weekly clean'?

Accepted Answer

A 'full clean' is a deep clean performed after a guest checks out, returning the apartment to 'like-new' condition. A 'weekly clean' for a long-stay guest is typically lighter, focusing on changing linens, tidying up, and cleaning surfaces, but not as intensive as a checkout clean.

Question 2

How do I calculate my average checkouts per month?

Accepted Answer

If you have an average length of stay (ALOS) for your short-term guests, you can estimate it. For example, if your ALOS is 5 nights and you have 30 short-stay units at 80% occupancy, you would have roughly (30 units * 0.8 occupancy) / (5 nights / 30 days) = 144 checkouts per month.

Question 3

How many hours should I assume for a full-time housekeeper per month?

Accepted Answer

A standard full-time employee in the US works 40 hours per week. Over a month, this averages out to approximately 160-173 working hours. This calculator uses 160 hours as a baseline for determining staffing needs.

Question 4

How can I reduce the time it takes to clean an apartment?

Accepted Answer

Efficiency comes from process. Standardize your cleaning checklist, use professional-grade and efficient tools (e.g., high-power vacuums), pre-stock cleaning caddies to avoid trips back and forth, and train your staff on the most effective cleaning workflows.

Question 5

Should I outsource housekeeping or keep it in-house?

Accepted Answer

Outsourcing can offer flexibility and reduce HR overhead, but may come at a higher per-hour cost and less control over quality. An in-house team provides more control and can be more cost-effective at scale, but requires managing staff, payroll, and supplies. This calculator can help you estimate the raw labor cost of an in-house team to compare against quotes from third-party services.

Housekeeping Schedule & Cost Optimizer

Property & Labor

Checkout Cleaning (Short-Stay)

Weekly Cleaning (Long-Stay)

Results

Understanding Housekeeping Optimization

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help Optimizing Your Hospitality Business?